Closure with track covering means



Jan. 25, 1966 w cooKsoN ETAL 3,231,005

CLOSURE WITH TRACK COVERING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21 1963 TWN MH R M W 8 Emma mw m v m N t x W @A 0 d H 8 0 S 5 mmfl O H R w. i Y B o I o Jan. 25, 1966 H, w. cooKsoN ETAL 3,231,005

CLOSURE WITH TRACK COVERING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21 1963 A m a .-W-

INVENTOR. Harold W Cookson Russell Wardlaw Attorneys United States Patent 3,231,005 CLOSURE WITH TRACK COVERING MEANS Harold W. Cookson, San Francisco, and Russell Wardlaw, San Rafael, Califi, assignors to The Cookson (Zompany, SanFrancisco, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 2 1, 1963, Ser. No. 325,269 1 Claim. (Cl. 16026) This invention relates to a closure with track covering means.

Many types of closures such as side coiling partitions, and folding, collapsible or sliding doors, require a bottomfioor opening or guide slot in which the side coiling partition or door travels. This slot or opening in the floor has many disadvantages among which are the fact that womens heels may slip into the slot or opening to cause damage to womens shoes with the attendant possibility of tripping and injury to the women wearing the shoes. In addition, such openings or slots collect dust and dirt which may make it difficult to open and close the side coiling partition. In addition, such slots or openings have detracted from the appearance of the floor. There is, therefore, a need for a new and improved closure in which these objectionable features can be eliminated.

In general, it is an ob ect of the present invention to provide a closure which overcomes the above named disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the above character in which the slot or opening forming the track for the closure is automatically covered when the closure is opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the above character in which the means for covering the floor track is carried by the cables utilized for hauling or extending and retracting the closure between open and closed positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the above character in which the floor track covering means is moved to an out-of-the-Way position when the closure is moved to a closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the above character in which the floor track covering means can be readily installed.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the'following description in which the preferred embodiments are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a closure in the form of a side coiling partition incorporating the present invention.

' FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of the closure shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged isometric view, partially in cross-section and with certain parts broken away, showing a portion of the closure as shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of track covering means for use with a retractable closure.

FIGURE 8 is a partial side elevational view of a closure utilizing still another embodiment of our track covering means.

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FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

In general, our closure consists of a framework which forms a four-"sided rectangular opening. A closure is mounted in the framework and is movable between open and closed positions. The framework is provided with elongate slots formed on opposite sides of the opening. The closure is provided with shoe-like means mounted on the closure and riding in the tracks. Means is provided for covering at least one track when the closure is moved to an open position;

As shown in the drawings, the closure can be in the form of a side coiling partition which consists of a partition or grille 11 which is movable into and out of a coil box 12. The partition 11 is secured to andis adapted to be Wrapped onto a barrel 13 rotatably mounted in the coil box 12. The coil box 12 forms a part of a framework 14 which defines a four-sided rectangular opening 16 with top and bottom walls 17 and 18 and side walls 21 and 22.

The partition 11 can be of any suitable type and, as shown in the drawings, can consist of an articulated grille which is formed by a plurality of vertical rods 26 which are connected by links 27. The links are spaced on the rods by tubular spacers 28. Shoes 29 are'mounted on the upper and lower extremities of the rods 26 and are fastened together by suitable means such as flexible metal straps 31 which are secured to the shoes 29 by =suit-' able means such as rivets 32. I

A rectangular stile 33 is secured to the free end of the grille formed by the rods 26, the links 27 and the spacers 28. A bumper 34 of suitable material such as rubber is mounted on the forward extremity of the stile 33. Rectangular inserts or blocks 36 are secured to the upper and lower ends of the stile 33 by suitable means such as rivets 37 and are secured to the end of the straps 31 by suitable means such as rivets 38.

Alternatively, the partition can take the form of the side coiling partition disclosed in Patent No. 2,934,139. In addition to a partition, the closure can be a folding, sliding or collapsible door.

The framework 14 is provided with track means having elongate guide slots 41 and 42 formed on opposite sides of the framework in which the shoes 29 travel. The track means forming the upper slot 41 consists of a member 43 which is formed to provide the groove or slot 41 and which is also formed to permit travel of rollers 44 rotatably mounted upon opposite sides of the upper shoes 29 longitudinally of the track means. Means is provided for supporting the upper track member 43 and consists of a plate 4s to Which the track member 43 is secured by suitable means such as bolts 47. The plate 46 is suspended by straps 48 secured to the plate 46 by support rods 49.

The lower floor track means forming the slot 42 consists of a plate 51. Two bottom track members 52 are mounted on the plate 51 by suitable means such as angle brackets 53 by bolts 54 and screws 5-6. As can be seen particularly in FIGURE 2, the members 52 are provided with inwardly extending ears 52a which extend at substantially right angles to the members 52. The cars 52a form the slot 42 and are disposed a slight distance below the upper surface" ofthe members 52 which are flush with the top surface of the finished floor 57 in which the track means is mounted.

Means is provided for moving the partition between open and closed positions relative to said opening. This means can be of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,934,139 and, as disclosed therein, can include a drum 61 rotatably mounted within the box 12 and means (not shown) for operating the drum. Cable-like means is secured to the drum and is adapted to be wound thereon. The cable-like means is secured to the partition 11 and consists of separate cables 62 and 63 which are secured to the drum 61 as shown and which are reaved over pulleys or sheaves 64 and 66, upper and lower pulleys or sheaves 67 and 68, an upper return sheave 71, and lower return sheaves 72 and 73. The ends of the cables 62 and 63 are secured to the stile 33 forming the free end of the partition 11 by suitable means such as positioning the ends of the cable in holes in the blocks 36 and retained therein by screws 74 threaded into the blocks and engaging the ends of the cable. As disclosed in Patent No. 2,934,139, motive or manual means can be provided for operating the drum 61 to cause movement of the partition between open and closed positions.

Means is provided for sealing the slot 42 in the floor track means when the partition 11 is in an open position and consists of relatively fiat elongate strip-like means sccured to the hauling cable 63 in such a manner that it travels with the hauling cable. As shown in FIGURES 1-6 of the drawings, this elongate strip-like means 81 can be formed of a suitable material such as plastic or rubber. The strip-like means can have any desired configuration. For example, as shown in detail in FIGURE 6, it can consist of a relatively flat planar portion 81a which is adapted to ride upon the ears 52a and which has a thickness substantially equal to the spacing between the top of the ears 52a and the top of the members 52 so that the through which the hauling cable 63: passes. The strip 81 can also be formed of rigid materials such as. metal or wood. For example, in FIGURE 7, there is shown a modification utilizing a plurality of relatively rigid sections 91 formed of metal which are provided with portions 91!) similar to the portions 81b hereinbefore described adapted to clamp over the hauling cable 63. Similarly, each of the sections is provided with substantially planar portions 91a similar to the portions 81b. However, in addition, the sections are provided with cut-outs which form V-shaped recesses to permit the sections to travel over the rollers 72 and 73 without damage to the sections. Alternatively, the sections can be hinged. It can be seen that a plurality of such sections will serve the same purpose as an elongate flexible strip 81 and, therefore, can perform all of the necessary functions.

Although we have described the closure strip 81 as being utilized for sealing the floor track, it is readily apparent that a similar closure can be utilized'for sealing top surface of the elongate strip-like means 81 is flush with the top surface of the finished floor 57. Alternatively, it can be formed in a half-round or half-oval if it need not be flush with the surface. The elongate strip-like means 81 includes means for securing the same to the hauling cable and, as shown in FIGURE 6, includes a downwardly depending, centrally disposed rib-like portion 81b which is provided with a cylindrical recess 82 and a slot 83. Since the strip-like means 81 is formed of a flexible material, the portion 81b can be readily pressed upon the hauling cable so that it is carried by the hauling cable. The strip-like means 81 has such a length that when the partition 11 is in an open position, the member 81 will extend all the way between both sides of the opening 16 as defined by the side walls 21 and 22. When the partition is moved to an open position, the closure strip or strip-like means 81 is carried with the cable and moves to an out-of-the-wayposition underlying the ears 52a, as shown particularly in FIGURE 2, in the space 86 formed between the members 52. Thus, when the partition is in a completely closed position, the strip 81 will be underlying the partition in an out-of-the-way position. Conversely, when the partition is open, the strip 81 will completely fill the space above the ears 52a to provide a surface which is flush with the finished floor 57.

The rollers 72 and 73 have been contoured to accommodate the strip 81 and, as shown particularly in FIGURE 5, the roller 72 has been provided with a U-shaped recess 88 which is adapted to receive the normally upper side of the strip 81. The roller 73, on the other hand, has been provided with an annular groove 89 which is adapted to receive the portion 81b of the strip 81 together with the cable 63 mounted therein.

From the foregoing construction, it can be seen that the strip 81 provides a means for closing the recess which is provided in the lower track for the partition 11. Thus, it serves to keep out dust and dirt from the recess 42. In addition, it prevents womens heels and the like from becoming caught within the recess. Also, it greatly adds to the appearance of the floor because the strip 81 can be made of such a color that it blends in with the floor so that the track is not readily evident.

Although we have described the strip 81 as being formed of a bendable or relatively pliable material, the strip can be formed of other materials. For example, it can be formed of spring steel which will accept the bends other tracks as, for example, the top track or tracks in the side walls if the partition is moved vertically between openand closed positions rather than horizontally as shown inthe drawings. Also, as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 instead of being hauled by a cable, a closure strip 96 can be rolled on a spring loaded reel 97 mounted on the opposite end of the opening and secured to the stile 33 so that as the closure is opened the closure strip 96 is pulled out against the force of the spring loaded reel 97.

It is apparent from the foregoing that we have provided a new and improved side coiling partition which is provided with a track closure which can be readily installed and removed and which is carried with the hauling cables for the partition. The construction is such that the closure is advanced as the door is opened or is moved to an out-of-the-way position as the partition is closed. In addition to the foregoing advantages, the closure member can be economically manufactured.

We claim:

In a retractable partition, a framework defining a foursided rectangular opening, a partition having shoe means, the framework having track means for guiding said shoe means, a drum rotatably mounted in said framework, cable-like means connected to said drum and adapted to be wound on said drum and connected to the free end of said partition so that rotation of said drum causes movement of said partition in said framework and in said track means between open and closed positions with respect. to said opening, and track covering means and means for causing said track covering means to be moved as said partition is moved to cover said track means as said partition is moved to an open position, said track. means including inwardlyextending flanges defining a slot therebetween and a guideway thereabove for said track covering means, said track covering means including a member having a substantially continuous, uninterrupted relatively planar portion of dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of said guideway and a depending portion extending through said slot and cooperating therewith to retain said track covering means within said slot and guideway, the upper surface of said planar portion of the track covering means being flush with the upper surface of the track means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 764,000 7/1904 Newell et a1 20l9 2,599,747 6/1952 Craigon 20l9 2,639,766 5/1953 Pratt -40 2,736,931 3/1956 Levine 20l9 2,934,139 "4/1960 Wardlaw et a1 16026 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, CHARLES E. OCON- NELL, Examiners. 

